Louis A. Ray, 81, formerly of Maryville and Mt. Vernon, died Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St.Louis, MO.
Visitation was from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 23, at Barry Wilson Funeral Home in Maryville, and 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 24, at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Collinsville. A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. following the Wednesday visitation in the church with Father John Beveridge as celebrant. Military honors will follow the mass. A private burial will be at Jeferson Barracks National Cemetery at a later date.
Mr. Ray was born April 11, 1940, the son of Joseph and Clementine (Corcoran) Ray. He married Janet Sturhahn.
Mr. Ray was a U.S. Air Force veteran. He later retired from Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon after many years of service as an anesthetist. He was a member of SS Peter & Paul Catholic church in Collinsville and a volunteer trail maker at Willoughby Farm. H enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s sporting events and loved his family.
Mr. Ray is survived by his children: Karen (husband Tim) Hurst of Mt. Vernon, Carol (husband Darryl) Frerker of Maryville, David (wife Rachel) Ray of Millstadt, Christine (husband Brad) Peterson of Maryville, Darrin (wife Bernadette) Ray of Gibson City, and Denise (husband Malik) Shakir of Montgomery; 19 grandchildren, Brian (wife Shannon), Nick, Matthew, Amanda (husband Jason), Lucas (wife Amanda), Lindsey (husband Jordan), Liz, Brandon (wife Darien), Andrea, Daylan, Spreed, Sydnie, Brendan (wife Kenzie), Justin, Trey, Connor, Sophia, Tristan and Kayden; 12 great-grandchildren; brothers Robert (wife Nancy) Ray, Ralph (wife Sue) Ray and Paul Ray; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; daughter Kathleen Marie Ray; grandson Joshua Ray Hurst; brother Joe Ray; and sisters JoAnn Harmon and Louise Murray.
Memorials may be in Louie’s honor to Willoughby Farm and will be received at the visitation or mailed to Barry Wilson Funeral Home at 2800 N. Center Street, Maryville, IL, 62062.
